Aortic dissection

[evelyn000]

Hello,

My partner (32) underwent an emergency aortic dissection 7 weeks ago (16th March). The operation lasted 12 hours and was very complicated including being resuscitated twice and 2 blood diffusions. He left the operating theatre in a critical condition. This was followed by 16 days in ICU with many ups and downs (pneumonia, reintubation, dialysis of the kidneys, a second operation to drain liquid from the heart, liquid on the lungs and so on). After 4 weeks he had to have a third operation following an infection of the sternum – the wound had to be reopened and cleaned and the bacteria removed. Since then, he has made a huge improvement and was released from hospital a week ago. He is young, fit and in good health so he should make a full recovery.

2 days ago he had an episode where he was having trouble breathing, this lasted about 2–3 minutes along with a pain in his right side. This passed quickly but happened again yesterday, more severe and with a very sharp pain in his back and slight vomiting. I brought him to A+E in our small local hospital and last night he was transferred to a bigger hospital after a leak showed up on the aortic cross section of the scan. The hospital will run another scan tomorrow as they are missing the stomach area, to confirm any leaks here. They are not sure yet if he needs to be re-operated or if there is a link between the episodes. He is currently in a different hospital to the one he was originally operated but will be transferred there on Monday if an operation is necessary.

Does anyone have any experience/advice regarding leaks following aortic dissection? And any advice regarding these 'episodes'?

After 7 weeks of dealing with this (in quarantine), Im really struggling and would appreciate any advice.

[Chappychap]

Hello Evelyn, this must all be especially worrying for you and your partner when it's happening under the surreal conditions of lockdown.

One excellent option you have is to telephone the excellent BHF cardiac nurses on their helpline. They have a mass of practical, expert experience and are well placed to offer both advice and, in the great majority of cases, soothing words of wisdom that you shouldn't worry unduly as they've seen all this many, many times before!

Good luck!

[evelyn000 in reply to Chappychap]

Thank you, I spoke with a BHF nurse yesterday who was very helpful and, as you said, offered soothing words of wisdom. We are still waiting on scans and results – Im sure many people online here know that the waiting is never easy.

[Alisbabas]

Wow, what he has been through must be hard on you both.

I agree with chappychap, ring BHF as they will help.

Keep strong and keep us informed.

Good luck x

[JulianM]

Hi Evelyn - if you are in the UK, check out and make contact with the support group Aortic Dissection Awareness UK and Ireland - they are the group behind the Think Aorta campaign, they're led by dissection survivors and have a buddy system up and going. Membership is free, partners and relatives are more than welcome to join, and I've found them extremely helpful and very well connected to specialist doctors and surgeons in this field. All the very best: I know that recovery is a long journey, but there are increasing numbers of people who have been through it and you are not alone.

[evelyn000]

Thank you, I really appreciate your response. I have just signed up to this group, it sounds like the support that I am looking for.

[cjbroon]

I didn't dissect but spent a month in hospital after having OHS for my thoracic ascending aortic aneurysm repaired, I had OHS on again 9 days later due blood/fluid leaking into my heart. I then had major infections and Afib a few times. My initial surgery took 10 hours and the 2nd 5 hours. I only expected to be in a week and the initial op was only supposed to take around 5 hours. I was readmitted with pneumonia and again with another chest infection. It's a long road, but one year on I have made a full recovery. I didn't expect complications at all so it did knock me a bit. But just try and remain upbeat and positive as there is light at the end of the tunnel and the NHS were outstanding with me. I couldn't thank them enough.